CBI court concludes hearing in Nithari case

A special CBI court here on Saturday concluded the hearing in one of the cases in connection with Nithari serial killings, while fixing date for final hearing in another case.

Combo picture of Moninder Singh Pandher and his servant Surendra Koli who were awarded death sentence by a special CBI court in the rape and killing of 14-year-old Rimpa Haldar in Nithari, at Ghaziabad. A file photo: PTI

CBI Special Judge A K Singh concluded the hearing of Aarti murder case and fixed April 27 for the final hearing of the Rachna murder case.

In the two cases, the investigating agency did not file charge sheet against Moninder Singh Pandher. The CBI framed charges of rape and murder only against Surinder Koli, the domestic servant of Pandher. However, the victim’s families also made Pandher accused along with Koli on the same charges.

In 2006, body parts of 19 young women and children were found in a drain behind Pandher’s bungalow.

In February 2009, a special CBI court sentenced Pandher and Koli to death for raping and killing one of the victims, 14-year-old Rimpa Haldar.

But, Pandher was acquitted by the Allahabad High court in September 2009. In January this year, the Supreme Court stayed the death sentence of Koli, prime accused in the Nithari killings.